Karter Goskie
Sports Editor
Following a 4-7 season last year, Webster Groves High School football opened the season against Francis Howell North with a 22-8 win, ending a losing streak for Week 1 games that stood since 2017.
Last season, Webster Groves lost to Vianney at Moss Field in the season opener, 54-10. Webster’s roster that season included 29 seniors, including long snapper Malakai Lewis, who now plays Division I football for Missouri State.
This year, the Statesmen won against Francis Howell to begin the season. The win brings Francis Howell North’s losing streak to 25 games, which started in October 2023 when the team lost to Troy Buchanan.
“What I’m hoping to gain this season with the team is trying to keep as many people healthy as possible, while having a winning record,” said junior linebacker Noah Banks.
Webster Groves scored the game’s first points following junior running back King Mitchell’s touchdown off a 29-yard run in the first quarter. The junior contributed over half the team’s rushing yards, rushing for 112, and even scoring another touchdown off of an 18-yard run later into the third quarter. Mitchell was awarded player of the game.
Webster’s offense totaled 219 rushing yards, with a focus on controlling the ground game. Junior quarterback Henry Rycenga threw for 94 passing yards, completing six of 11 passes. The team would combine for 313 yards in total, with 14 first downs and one turnover.
Defensively, Webster totaled 22 tackles, with nine assisted ones, holding Francis Howell scoreless until the fourth quarter.
“We’re definitely going to have our year this year. We got a huge confidence booster out of that win,” said sophomore backup quarterback Bear Robinson.
Webster will play at Affton and Parkway South for their week two and three games before coming back to Moss Field on Sep. 25 against Mehlville.
